No images? Click here New toolkit now available!Return to the workplace: A psychological toolkit for heading back to work As more employees return to the workplace, many may be experiencing increased stress and anxiety. Employers can take steps to promote mental health during this transition. In partnership with Mental Health Works and BounceBack Ontario, the Canadian Mental Health Association has developed a new toolkit for your workplace. This toolkit contains information to help employers and employees navigate the complex mental health realities of returning back to the workplace while the pandemic continues. It will guide employers in creating policies and procedures to support staff and incorporate mental health measures into safety precautions and protocols. Contact Niagara Region Public Health to learn more about how we can help. We will work with you to identify the resources that best meet your needs and support your workplace through this challenging time. World Suicide Prevention DayIn Niagara, someone dies by suicide approximately every nine days. Although certain demographics of people are disproportionately affected by suicide, no one is immune and suicide prevention is the responsibility of everyone. Annual Memorial Forest VigilEvery October, a Memorial Forest Vigil takes place on the Thursday during Mental Illness Awareness Week. The Memorial Forest seeks to lessen the stigma around mental illness and promote a greater understanding and compassion from the community as a whole. This year's event will be available to view online on Oct. 8.
FREE dental program for children and YouthGrow up smiling! Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government funded program that offers free dental services for eligible children and youth, 17 years and under.
The many benefits of walking to schoolWalking or cycling to school offers many benefits for children, such as increased readiness to learn, decreased levels of stress, and increased levels of happiness on the journey to school. If you need to drive, consider a safe drop-off location away from the school and let your child walk the last five minutes. This will allow them to enjoy the benefits of physical activity and help you avoid congestion around your school. Plan now to promote the flu shot this fall!It's more important than ever to plan ahead to reduce the spread of flu If your workplace is interested in promoting the flu shot, you can take a few simple steps. Once the Ministry of Health announces the official launch (this typically occurs in October at news.ontario.ca), simply share posters and information from the link below and refer staff to the flu shot clinics web page at niagararegion.ca/vaccines. While Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services does not offer workplace flu clinics, you can call the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425 in early October for a list of nursing agencies that may offer this service. Make health and wellness a top priority for your workplaceMental health and wellness for the workplace: A new online course now available through St. John Ambulance Improving the mental health of your employees and equipping them to be mentally resilient to stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can improve thinking, decision making, workflow, and relationships at work. Recognizing the early signs is key to recovery and productivity. Forward thinking is healthy thinking, and your employees will thank you for your support. To help, St. John Ambulance has a newly developed one day, peer-to-peer mental health course. Next available date is September 17! Looking for further information? Please contact 905-685-8964 ext. 203. |